Hospitality On The Rise

Jenny Goodman, Co-Founder and CEO of TILIT, reflects on her unique hospitality journey, from being a "not great" server in high school to falling in love with restaurants at the legendary Commander's Palace in New Orleans to eventually becoming the helm of a premium hospitality workwear brand. From bootstrapping a premium brand in a commodity market to expanding into the UTILITY trade show, Jenny discusses the power of radical honesty with your network and the importance of staying focused on your core community while you scale.Links- Instagram - Jenny Goodman: https://www.instagram.com/jennymcgoody/- Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/- Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-61-jenny-goodman************Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com.Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, Anthony Mangieri—Owner & Chef of Una Pizza Napoletana and Founder & CEO of Genio Della Pizza—shares his incredible 30-year journey in the pizza world. From a childhood obsession with pizza to opening his first pizzeria in 1996, Anthony discusses his journey of staying true to his craft while learning how to evolve with changing times, both in the kitchen and in the front of house.Links- Instagram - Anthony Mangieri: https://www.instagram.com/anthony_w_mangieri/- Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/- Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-59-anthony-mangieri************Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com.Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, host Alice Cheng is joined by Rick Bayless, renowned chef, restaurateur, and television personality. Rick shares his journey from growing up in a family restaurant to becoming a pioneer of authentic Mexican cuisine in the U.S. He talks about opening Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, the challenges of introducing regional Mexican food to a new audience, and how his commitment to training and supporting his team has played a key role in his success. With multiple awards and humanitarian recognition, Rick’s story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and community.Links- Instagram - Rick Bayless: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/rick_bayless/⁠- Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/⁠- Full Transcript⁠: ⁠https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-57-rick-bayless⁠************Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com.Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, Alice Cheng chats with Raj Vaidya, Founder and Private Wine Consultant at Raj Wine Consulting. With 25+ years in hospitality, Raj talks about his rise from quick-service restaurants to becoming a leader in the wine world as well as his time at DANIEL. He shares insights on mentorship, career growth, and the art of wine consulting. Tune in for Raj's take on balancing passion with the evolving landscape of wine and hospitality.Links- Instagram - Raj Vaidya: https://www.instagram.com/rajvine/- Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/- Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-55-raj-vaidya************Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com.Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

This week on Hospitality On The Rise, Sam Yoo, Chef-Owner of Golden Group Foods (Golden Diner and Golden Hof), takes Alice Cheng through his remarkable journey in the hospitality world, from growing up in a restaurant family to being named a James Beard semifinalist. Sam shares the lessons he learned from his early experiences at Dunkin' Donuts, his time working under renowned chefs including Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi, and his journey to becoming an entrepreneur. He reflects on the importance of patience, flexibility, and trusting the process, as well as his drive to build a brand that balances growth with authenticity.Links- Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/- Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-53-sam-yoo************Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com.Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, Eli Sussman, Executive Chef & Partner at Gertrude's and mastermind behind The Sussmans on Instagram, takes Alice Cheng through his career shift from marketing to the high-energy kitchens of New York. Leaving a stable desk job in Los Angeles, Eli dove into the restaurant world, quickly moving from line cook to leading his own operations. He shares the lessons learned in some of the busiest kitchens and his unique take on building community through content. Eli’s blend of culinary expertise and humor is as insightful as it is entertaining.Links- Instagram - Eli Sussman: https://www.instagram.com/thesussmans/- Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/- Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-51-eli-sussman************Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com.Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, host Alice Cheng chats with Aldo Sohm, Wine Director at Le Bernardin and Aldo Sohm Wine Bar, Winemaker at Sohm & Kracher, and author of Wine Simple and Wine Simple: Perfect Pairings. From discovering his passion for wine after an unexpected encounter to building a career that spans world-class restaurants and writing books, Aldo’s story is one of resilience and dedication. He explores how challenges can become valuable learning experiences, emphasizes the importance of humility in leadership, and highlights the joy that comes from fully embracing every moment of what you do.Note: This episode was previously recorded in November 2025.Links- Instagram - Aldo Sohm: https://www.instagram.com/aldosohm/- Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/- Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-49-aldo-sohm************Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com.Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, host Alice Cheng welcomes Tyler Akin, Founder of Form-Function Hospitality and Chef-Partner of Bastia and Caletta. From relentlessly pursuing a position at Komi to opening multiple successful ventures of his own, Tyler shares how his experiences in fine dining shaped his approach to leadership and culinary creativity. Tyler also reflects on the challenges of opening restaurants, the lessons he's learned about resilience, and his ongoing work to create positive change in the hospitality industry.Note: This episode was filmed before 2025 Southern Smoke Festival.Links- Instagram - Tyler Akin: https://www.instagram.com/tyler_akin/- Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/- Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-47-tyler-akin************Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com.Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, host Alice Cheng welcomes Andrew Black, Chief Culinary Officer of Counter Service. He reflects on how his experiences with chefs like Laurent Tourondel and Kevin Binkley, as well as his time as a Sous Chef at Eleven Madison Park, shaped his approach to food and entrepreneurship. Staying true to his passion for exceptional ingredients, Andrew shares his journey from fine dining to creating a unique sandwich concept focused on quality and craftsmanship.Links- Instagram - Andrew Black: https://www.instagram.com/andrewsandwiches/- Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/- Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-45-andrew-black************Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com.Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, host Alice Cheng is joined by Steve Palmer, Founder, Managing Director, and Chief Vision Officer of The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, Co-Founder of Ben's Friends, and host of Say Grace Podcast.Steve reflects on his remarkable journey from washing dishes at 13 to becoming the leader of one of the Southeast's most successful restaurant groups. He shares the ups and downs of his career, including overcoming personal struggles and the founding of Ben’s Friends, a nonprofit dedicated to helping industry professionals with mental health and substance abuse issues. Steve also talks about how his leadership style focuses on culture, the importance of creating opportunities for employees, and his positive vision for the future of hospitality.Links- Instagram - Steve Palmer: https://www.instagram.com/stevepalmer12/- Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/- Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-43-steve-palmer************Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com.Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, host Alice Cheng is joined by Stefano Secchi, Chef-Owner of Fai Bravo Hospitality and the acclaimed restaurants Rezdôra and Massara. Stefano traces his path from growing up in a restaurant family to sharpening his craft in Italy and ultimately opening his own renowned kitchens in New York. He discusses learning from master chefs, honoring regional Italian traditions, and what it really takes to build a restaurant from the ground up. Along the way, Stefano shares lessons on navigating the New York dining scene—and his perspective on where Italian cuisine in the U.S. is headed next.Links- Instagram - Stefano Secchi: https://www.instagram.com/stefano_secchi- Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/- Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-41-stefano-secchi************Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com.Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, host Alice Cheng speaks with Ti Martin, Co-Proprietor of the iconic Commander's Palace, Le Petit Bleu, and Picnic Provisions & Whiskey. Ti reflects on growing up in the restaurant industry and eventually taking the helm of her family’s business. She discusses the lessons learned from her experiences in real estate, commercial work, and time spent under the mentorship of hospitality legends like Emeril Lagasse. Ti also talks about how she continues to navigate change in the industry and her commitment to shaping the future of hospitality through education and community engagement at the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI).Links- Instagram - Commander's Palace: https://www.instagram.com/commanderspalace/- Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/- Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-39-ti-martin************Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com.Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.

On this episode of Hospitality On The Rise, host Alice Cheng welcomes Amanda Signorelli, CEO and Co-Owner of Golden Steer, a staple in Las Vegas dining. Amanda recounts her unexpected journey into hospitality after transitioning from tech and consulting, reflecting on her entrepreneurial experiences in both industries. She shares valuable insights on leadership and the innovative strategies that helped Golden Steer thrive — especially during the challenges of COVID. This episode is packed with lessons on resilience, risk-taking, and the power of human connection.Links- Instagram - Amanda Signorelli: https://www.instagram.com/signorelliamanda/- Instagram - Culinary Agents⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/culinaryagents/- Full Transcript⁠: https://hospitalitycareerpaths.com/resources/ep-37-amanda-signorelli************Remember, success looks different for everyone in hospitality. No two paths are the same. If you have a leader or a topic you want to hear about, email media@culinaryagents.com.Hospitality On The Rise is brought to you by Culinary Agents, connecting top talent with employers since 2012. Whether you’re hiring or looking for your next opportunity, join us at CulinaryAgents.com.For more inspiration, subscribe to Hospitality On The Rise and visit HospitalityCareerPaths.com, a free platform by Culinary Agents.Thanks for tuning in! Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. And if you loved this episode, share it with someone who could use a little inspiration.